Berry box crate



Dec. 29, 1931. w. w. WORKMAN BERRY BOX RATE Filed Nov. 12. 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet a 1 m w M all) an "Hui:-

Dec. 29, 1931. w. w. WORKMAN 1,838,726

BERRY 136x CRATE Filed Nov. 12, 1929 2 Sheets$heet 2 INVENTOR I ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 29, 1931 PATENT OFFICE WALTER W. WORKMAN, OF PHILADELPHIAQPENNS YLVANIA Ems BOX (mare Application filed Roveniber 12, 1929. Serial .No.'406,658.

The present invention relates to crates gen erally, and more especially to .an improved crate for containing berry boxes, the main purpose being to provide a fly. proof construction; 1

Another purpose is to provide, 1n a crate'of this kind an improved construction, such as will Withstand considerable roughuse especially in shipping.

Another purpose is to provide a crate consisting of an especially made frame, with means on the interior for supporting trays (on which are boxes for various berries and similar fruit) in such a manner as to leave substantial space between the surface of the berries in the boxes and theunder surface of an adjacent tray, so as to insure" proper circulation of .air. I

Another purpose is to provide'afcrate such as can be returned to the shipper, in order that another shipment of boxes of berries can be sent in the same crate, and should the crate be rolled or turned over on its corners in case of being returnedto' the shipper, the crate will withstand such use, Without twisting or distorting or otherwise damagingthe same. I

A further purpose is'to provide acrate'of this kind wherein the cover or closure-fits within the side of the crate with a marginal edge portion, in order to insure exclusion of flies and other insects. A further purpose is to provide a crate,

, wherein the sides and ends'are first joined in one length, and so connected as to permit the sides and ends to be placed in position subsequently to assuming the shape of the crate. v j v j I A still further purpose is to provide, in a crate of this kind, means to retain the wire fabric on the sides and ends in positionand against distortion or other damage and-to reinforce the same in order to insure rigidity. I

It is to be understood that the particulars herein given are in no way limitative, and that while still keeping within the scope of the invention, any desired modificationof details and proportions may be made in the construction. of the appliance according to set forth, shown in the drawings and claimed.

- In the drawings: 7

Figure 1 is a View in perspectiveof the improved crate constructed in accordance of the invention. i

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view on 00 line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a cross sectional View on line 3-3 of Figure 1 Figure 4 is a view of the sides and ends joined in one length,in such a manner that the sides and ends can be moved into position to assume the shape of the crate, such one length resting on a form or bed plate, so that the strips can be fastened together.

Figure 5 is a plan View of the sides and ends joined in one length, like in Figure 4, but showing the reverse side, with the Wire fabric and reinforcing Wires applied.

Figure'G is a plan view of the form or bed plate shown in Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a detail perspective view of one of the trays 23.

Y Referring tothedrawings, 1 identifies the crate as a Whole, comprising the side and end sections '2 and 3. The crate may be of 30 any shape and of any proportions suitable for the trade. In'constructingthe crate the sides and end sections are joined together in one length as shown in Figure 4,. the sheet metalpieces 4 not only joining the side and end sections in one length, but also acting to secure the strips 5 and 6 of the side sections, and the strips 7 and .8 of the end sections together, the fastening means such as nails or the like 9 passing through the flexible sheet metal pieces 4 and into the strips, so that when the side and end sections are placed in position to assume the shape of the crate, rigidity is insured.

In constructing the crate it is the purpose to use a form in the wayof a bed plate, such a e-identified at 10. This form or bed plate is of metal, so that when the fastening means or nails are driven through the sheet metal be made in one length, such one length of crate construction can be turned over,,the reinforcing wires 11a then beingapplied to the inner faces and the side and end sections, thereby preventing corner-wise distortion of the sections. Subsequent to applying the reinforcing wires, the wire fabric 12 is next app-lied to the inner faces of the sections. In applying the reinforcing wire, their ends 13 are driven into the pieces forming the sections, as shown in dotted lines.

After applying the reinforcing wires and the wire fabric 12 the side and end sections are placed in position to assume the shape of the crate. The bottom 14 may then be nailed or otherwise fastenedto the crate, the bottom consisting of veneer wood pieces substantially three-sixteenths or one-quarter inch in thickness, there being a sheet metal band 15a fastened at 15 to the bottom and to. the side sections, though not necessarily for such band can be dispensed with if so desired in order to further reinforce the crate.

The cover or closure 16 consists of one piece of wood material preferably three-sixteenths or one-quarter of an inch thick such as veneer material, which fits within the upper part of the crate, there being similar veneer strips fastened to the marginal portion ofthe cover or closure to provide for a marginal flange 17 which overlies the upper marginal edge of the crate. In this manner,

namely the engaging of the cover or closure within the crate together with a. marginal flange, the flies and other insects are excluded.

Any suitable hinges such as identified at 18 hingedly connects the cover or closure to the crate. A suitable hasp 19 is fastened to the cover or closure and the hinged part of this hasp has a slot 20 which receives'a suitable staple or keeper 21, in order that a. pad lock 21a or a wire (not shown) may be fastened therein to retain the hasp latched.

On the interior of the crate adjacent preferably the inner faces of the end sections are angle supports or brackets 22 for the support of the-trays 23, which comprise the sides 24 and the slats 25. These trays are provided for the purpose of supporting boxes of herries or other fruit as identified at 26. The supports or brackets are arranged in such spaced positions, as to retain the trays suitably spaced so that one tray will not rest on the berries in the boxes below.

The form or bed plate consists of a frame surface, on which the ribs or cleats 11 are fastened, and on which the ribs or cleats 115 are secured. The ribs 11?) are spaced, one on each side of each of the ribs 11, the spaces between the ribs 11 and the ribs 11?) receive the strips 6 and 8. Also secured to the form or bed plate arerthe stripslldand 116, each of the latter being between the ribs 11, while the single rib or strip lid is at the ends of the ribs 11. As shown the ribs 11d and 116 are spaced from the ends of the ribs 11b. The strips. 5, 6, 7 and 8 are placed on the bed plate or form as in Figure 4, and the sheet metal plates 4 are applied. After the sheet metal plates or pieces 4 are applied, the resulting structure is turned over as in Figure 5, subsequently to which the reinforcing wireslla are applied, and then over the wires 11;; the wire fabric is applied. After the one length is so formed, it is shaped into position to. form the crate, and then the sheet metal plates or pieces 4 at the extreme left in Figure 5 are connected tothe opposite end of said single length, and then the bottom andto p are applied. a

The invention having been set forth, what is claimed is 1. A shipping crate for boxes of berries, comprising side and end sections consisting of strips disposed in right angular positions to form rectangular sections, means to secure the strips and sections together, diagonal intersecting reinforcing Wires to brace each section and to reinforce the strips relatively in position, wire fabric secured on the inner faces of the sections and to be reinforced by the wires, a bottom for the crate, and a hinged closure for the crate.

2. A shipping crate for boxes of berries, comprising side and end sections, said sections consisting of strips disposed in position at; right angles, thereby forming thesections in rectangular shapes, means for fastening the strips together and at, the same time joining the sections in one length, said sections being edgewise spaced, whereby the sections may be positioned to form a rectangular shape, a bottom for the crate, and a hinged closure for the crate.

3. A shipping crate for boxes of berries, comprising side and end sections,'said sections consisting of strips disposed in position at right angles, thereby forming the sections inrectangular shapes, means for fastening the strips together and at the-same timejoin ing the sections in one length, said sections.

being. edgewise. spaced, whereby the sections may be positioned. to form a rectangular shape, a bottom for the crate, and a hinged closure for the crate, diagonal intersecting wlres connecting the corners of each section,

and thereby reinforcing the strips in rectangular positions, and areas of wire fabric secured to the inner faces of the sections over the wires, said wires acting to reinforce the fabric.

4. A shipping crate for boxes of berries,

comprising side and end sections, saidsections consisting of strips disposed in posi- 7 tion at right angles, thereby forming the sections in rectangular shapes, means for fastening the strips together and at the same time joining the sections in one length, said sections being edgewise spaced, whereby the sections may be positioned to form a rectangular shape, a bottom for the crate, and a hinged closure for the crate, diagonal intersecting Wires connecting the corners of each section and thereby reinforcing the strips in rectangular positions; and areas of wire fabric secured to the inner faces of the sections over the wires, said wires acting to reinforce the fabric, said closure fitting within the crate and having a marginal flange to overlie the upper edge of the crate to insure thecrate being insect proof, and means on the interior of the crate at the corners thereof for supporting a plurality of trays in spaced posi tions, whereby the boxes of berries may have free circulation of air.

In testimony whereof he aflixes his signature. 1

WALTER W. WORKMAN. 

